How to Cite Et Al. Correctly in Academic Manuscripts

Key Takeaways

• Up to 25% of manuscripts face rejection due to citation inconsistencies, including improper use of et al., making this a preventable problem that significantly impacts publication success.

• APA 7th edition requires et al. for three or more authors from the first citation, while Chicago 17th edition requires four or more authors; always verify your target journal's specific edition and guidelines.

• In APA style, list all authors up to 20 in the reference list; for 21+ authors, list the first 19, insert an ellipsis, then the final author to ensure database traceability.

• Et al. is italicized only in MLA Works Cited entries; it is never italicized in APA in-text citations, Chicago style, or MLA in-text citations, making this a frequent formatting error.

• Always read journal-specific author instructions before finalizing citations, as many high-impact journals override standard style guide rules—for example, requiring the first three authors before et al.

• Use reference management software like Zotero or Mendeley to automate citation tracking, but conduct a manual review or hire a professional editor before submission, as these tools are not infallible.

Citation errors are one of the most common reasons manuscripts get rejected before peer review even begins. Among these errors, incorrect use of et al. appears repeatedly in submissions across every scientific discipline. Whether you are preparing your first journal article or managing a team of researchers, knowing how to cite et al. correctly is a non-negotiable skill. This guide walks you through the rules for every major citation style, highlights the most frequent mistakes, and gives you practical steps to ensure your manuscript meets journal requirements. Getting this right is a small detail that makes a significant difference in your publication success.

What Does Et Al. Mean and Why Does It Matter?

Et al. is a Latin abbreviation for et alii, meaning “and others.” In academic manuscripts, it shortens in-text citations when a source has multiple authors. Instead of listing every name each time you cite a work, you use the first author’s surname followed by et al. This keeps your text readable and prevents citations from overwhelming your prose.

The stakes are higher than they may seem. Research indicates that up to 25% of manuscripts face rejection due to citation inconsistencies, including improper use of et al. For authors aiming to publish in peer-reviewed journals, this is a preventable problem. Understanding the rules of each style guide gives you a clear advantage. You can also explore using citations effectively in research papers for broader guidance on integrating sources.

Et Al. Rules by Citation Style: A Quick Comparison

The three most common citation styles in academic publishing are APA, MLA, and Chicago. Each has distinct rules about when to use et al. and how to format it. The table below summarizes the key differences.

Always verify the specific edition your target journal requires. Style guides are updated periodically, and journals may have their own variations. Checking the journal’s author instructions is a critical step before finalizing your manuscript. For a full walkthrough of manuscript preparation, see these essential steps to write a manuscript for publication.

How to Use Et Al. in APA 7th Edition

APA 7th edition (published by the American Psychological Association in 2020) updated its rules significantly. The change simplified citation for most authors. Here is what you need to know.

In-Text Citations in APA

Use et al. for any work with three or more authors, starting from the very first citation. You do not need to list all authors even once. The format is straightforward:

• Parenthetical citation: (Smith et al., 2024)
• Narrative citation: Smith et al. (2024) found that…
• Always use an ampersand (&) in parenthetical citations, not “and”
• In narrative citations, use “and” when listing two authors without et al.
• Et al. is never italicized in APA style
• The period after “al.” is always required

Reference List Rules in APA

The reference list follows different rules from in-text citations. You must list all authors up to 20. If a work has 21 or more authors, list the first 19 names, insert an ellipsis (…), and then include the final author’s name. This ensures the reference is traceable through databases like PubMed, which indexes millions of biomedical citations. The reference list entry does not use et al. for works with 20 or fewer authors.

Step-by-Step: APA In-Text Citation with Et Al.

1. Identify the number of authors in the source (three or more triggers et al.)
2. Write the first author’s surname followed by “et al.”
3. Add a comma and the publication year in parentheses
4. Add a page number if quoting directly (e.g., Smith et al., 2024, p. 45)
5. Check whether the citation is parenthetical or narrative and adjust punctuation accordingly

How to Use Et Al. in MLA 9th Edition

MLA (Modern Language Association) style is common in humanities journals but also appears in interdisciplinary manuscripts. The 9th edition has specific formatting requirements for et al. that differ from APA.

In-Text Citations in MLA

For a source with three or more authors, use the first author’s surname followed by et al. and the page number:

• Example: (Smith et al. 45)
• No comma between the author name and page number
• No year included in the in-text citation
• Et al. is not italicized in the in-text citation itself

Works Cited Entry in MLA

In the Works Cited list, et al. is italicized. The entry begins with the first author’s name in inverted format, followed by “, et al.” The full format looks like this: Smith, Jane, et al. Then continue with the remaining bibliographic details. This is one of the rare instances where et al. appears in italics in formal academic writing.

How to Use Et Al. in Chicago Style

Chicago style (17th edition) is widely used in history, arts, and some social sciences. It offers two systems: Notes & Bibliography (N&B) and Author-Date. Both systems apply et al. when a work has four or more authors.

Notes and Bibliography System

In footnotes and endnotes, list up to three authors by name. For four or more, use the first author followed by et al.:

• Example footnote: John Smith et al., Title of Work (Publisher, 2023), 112.
• In the bibliography, you may list all authors or use et al. after the first
• The bibliography entry begins with the first author’s surname inverted

Author-Date System

The Author-Date system follows similar logic. Use et al. after the first author name for works with four or more authors. The in-text citation includes the author name and year: (Smith et al. 2024). The reference list may list all authors. Chicago does not italicize et al. in either system.

Common Mistakes When Citing Et Al. in Manuscripts

Even experienced researchers make avoidable errors with et al. Being aware of these pitfalls will help you submit a cleaner manuscript. Editors at San Francisco Edit’s scientific editing service routinely encounter these issues in manuscripts submitted for peer review. Addressing them before submission saves time and protects your submission from unnecessary rejection.

Here are the most frequent mistakes to avoid:

1. Forgetting the period: Et al. always requires a period after “al.” because it is an abbreviation. Writing “et al” without the period is incorrect in all major style guides.
2. Italicizing incorrectly: Only MLA Works Cited entries italicize et al. In APA, Chicago, and MLA in-text citations, it is not italicized.
3. Applying APA 6th edition rules: APA 6th required listing all authors for up to five authors on the first citation. APA 7th no longer does this. Using the old rule is a common error in 2026 submissions.
4. Using et al. for only two authors: No major style guide requires et al. for two-author works. Always list both names.
5. Mixing styles within one manuscript: Inconsistent citation formatting signals poor preparation to reviewers and editors alike.
6. Not checking journal-specific requirements: Some journals require listing all three authors before switching to et al. Always read the journal’s author instructions carefully.

Practical Tips for Editors and Authors

Applying et al. rules consistently across a long manuscript is challenging. These practical steps will help you maintain accuracy from first draft to final submission. For non-native English speakers, proper citation formatting is particularly important, as reviewers scrutinize these details closely. You can find additional support through scientific manuscript editing for non-native English speakers.

A Checklist for Et Al. Accuracy

1. Confirm which citation style the target journal requires before you begin writing
2. Count the authors in every multi-author source before deciding whether to use et al.
3. Apply the correct threshold: 3+ for APA and MLA, 4+ for Chicago
4. Check formatting consistency between in-text citations and the reference list
5. Verify italics rules for each citation location (body text vs. Works Cited)
6. Review all citations once more after completing the full manuscript draft

Reference management software such as Zotero or Mendeley can automate some of these steps. However, these tools are not infallible. A manual review, or professional manuscript editing, remains the most reliable approach for ensuring accuracy before submission. You can also visit the San Francisco Edit knowledge center for additional guidance on citation standards and manuscript preparation.

When Journal Instructions Override Style Guides

Many high-impact journals publish their own citation guidelines. These may differ from APA, MLA, or Chicago defaults. For example, some biomedical journals instruct authors to list the first three authors followed by et al., even when the base style guide allows just one. Always download and read the full author instructions from the journal’s website before finalizing citations. This applies to every citation element, not just et al.

If you are preparing a manuscript for a medical or scientific journal indexed on PubMed, pay particular attention to citation format. Editors at these journals are experienced reviewers who notice inconsistencies quickly. Submitting a manuscript with clean, consistent citations demonstrates professionalism and attention to detail. For guidance on broader manuscript structure, explore this manuscript formatting guide for authors.

How Professional Editing Protects Your Citation Accuracy

Even meticulous authors benefit from professional review. Citation formatting is detail-oriented work, and errors accumulate across long manuscripts. A trained manuscript editor checks every citation against the required style guide, flags inconsistencies, and ensures your reference list is complete and correctly formatted.

San Francisco Edit provides expert manuscript editing by native English-speaking PhD scientists with deep experience in peer-reviewed publishing. With a 98% acceptance rate for edited manuscripts, the team understands what journal reviewers expect. This includes citation accuracy, language precision, and adherence to journal-specific formatting requirements. For authors writing in English as a second language, this level of support can be the difference between rejection and acceptance.

Whether your manuscript follows APA, MLA, or Chicago style, professional editing ensures every et al. citation is correct, consistent, and compliant. You can learn more about what to expect from a professional review by reading about what you can expect from a scientific editor.

Conclusion

Knowing how to cite et al. correctly is a foundational skill for every researcher preparing a manuscript for publication. The rules vary by style guide: APA 7th requires et al. for three or more authors from the first citation, MLA 9th edition applies it in Works Cited for three or more authors, and Chicago 17th uses it for four or more. Each style has specific rules about italics, periods, and reference list formatting. Mistakes are common and preventable. Reviewing your citations carefully — or working with a professional editor — significantly reduces the risk of rejection due to formatting errors. If your manuscript is ready for a professional review, submit your manuscript to San Francisco Edit and let our expert team ensure every citation meets journal standards.

FAQs

Q: When should I use et al. in APA 7th edition citations?

A: In APA 7th edition, use et al. for any in-text citation with three or more authors, starting from the very first mention of that source. For example, a work by Smith, Jones, and Lee would be cited as (Smith et al., 2024). This rule applies to both parenthetical and narrative citations.

Q: Should et al. be italicized in academic citations?

A: The answer depends on the citation style. Et al. is not italicized in APA or Chicago style. In MLA, et al. is italicized only when it appears in the Works Cited list, not in the in-text citation. Always follow the specific formatting rules of the style guide your target journal requires.

Q: What is the difference between APA and Chicago et al. rules?

A: APA 7th edition requires et al. for works with three or more authors in all in-text citations. Chicago 17th edition sets a higher threshold, using et al. for works with four or more authors in both footnotes and Author-Date in-text citations. Both styles require a period after ‘al.’ and neither italicizes the term.

Q: How do I handle sources with more than 20 authors in APA?

A: For sources with 21 or more authors in APA 7th edition, list the first 19 authors in the reference list, insert an ellipsis, and then include the final author’s name. In the in-text citation, simply use the first author’s surname followed by et al., regardless of the total number of authors.

Q: Do journal-specific guidelines ever override standard et al. rules?

A: Yes, individual journals frequently publish their own citation instructions that may differ from the base style guide. Some biomedical and scientific journals, for example, require listing the first three authors before using et al., even when APA or another style guide would allow fewer. Always consult the target journal’s author instructions before finalizing your manuscript’s citation format.